ACDA Mentoring Privacy Policy

The American Choral Directors Association Mentoring Program (“ACDA Mentoring”)is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information provided by the users of ACDA Mentoring. Since we do collect certain types of information about our users, in this privacy statement, we will describe the terms and conditions surrounding the capture and use of that information including what we collect, how we use it, and how users can make changes.

ACDA Mentoring uses the personal information provided by mentors and mentees to match them to each other to create long term mentoring relationships. From time to time, other ACDA-affiliated organizations, as well as technical partners, may be able to view some information, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate the running of the website and the operation of the program.

ACDA Mentoring’s commitment to all users (students and alumni) is that ACDA Mentoring will maintain the confidentiality of all information collected on ACDA Mentoring and will not sell or transmit, in any fashion, this information to any other organization.

How will ACDA Mentoring use the personally identifiable information collected?

To match mentees and mentors to each other such that certain fields such as career interests and geographical interests are similar enough to produce fruitful mentoring relationships.

To enable mentees and mentors to access various tools, features, and functions of the ACDA Mentoring system, in particular, to assist them in selecting each other, contacting each other, and continuing their mentoring relationships.

To communicate with mentees and mentors regarding use of ACDA Mentoring, site changes, or information on possible events or activities associated with ACDA Mentoring.

The American Choral Directors Association and any other groups affiliated with ACDA that are facilitating or assisting ACDA Mentoring provision of mentoring services to mentees and mentors, may access some of the mentees’ and mentors’ personal information, and at times may send e-mail using communication tools on the site. In addition, mentors and mentees who use ACDA Mentoring will have access to some of the information provided by potential matches, for matching purposes. ACDA Mentoring and other organizations affiliated with ACDA are not responsible for what mentees and mentors do with the personal information that is available or accessible through this program or website.

While ACDA Mentoring endeavors to restrict access to this database to participating mentors and mentees only, ACDA Mentoring cannot guarantee that other parties will not, without consent, gain access to the database.

The Mentoring Relationship

Persons who participate in the ACDA Mentoring program must commit to prioritize the health and well-being of both parties in the mentoring relationship. At the very least, this is a commitment to do no harm.

ACDA defines Sexual Harassment as: “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: (1) It is implicitly or explicitly suggested that submission to or rejection of the conduct will be a factor in academic or employment decisions or evaluations, or permission to participate in an ACDA activity; or (2) The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating or hostile academic, work or living environment.

If ACDA determines that any ACDA Mentoring Program participant is being sexually harassed by another participant, ACDA will immediately remove the offending participant permanently from the program and/or may take additional actions as appropriate.

Technical Issues

Updating Account Information

ACDA Mentoring allows users to change or correct personal information at any time. To do so, users simply login to their account, go to their profile, and locate options for editing the information.

Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses and Aggregated User Data

ACDA Mentoring collects IP addresses from all users of the site, and collects and monitors other data and information about the activities of users on the site collectively. This data is used anonymously and in the aggregate.

Cookies

ACDA Mentoring may from time to time use cookies in the operation of its website, such that when users access ACDA Mentoring, the site may set a cookie while they are on the site. Cookies, which are small text files recorded in a user’s hard drive, are employed by thousands of sites to enhance users’ web viewing experience. Cookies cannot damage user files, nor can they read information from a user’s hard drive. Cookies in and of themselves do not personally identify users, although they do identify a user’s computer. Cookies allow sites to “remember” users across pages of a site and across multiple visits to a site. ACDA Mentoring will not be storing information as to the number of times that a user visited the site. It will be necessary for users to log in each time that they wish to access ACDA Mentoring.

Security

ACDA Mentoring takes precautions to protect the user’s information. When users submit sensitive information via the Web Site, the information is protected both online and off-line. In addition, the mentee and mentor data is password protected, so only the user can access this information. All personally identifiable information collected by ACDA Mentoring is stored in limited-access servers. ACDA Mentoring has technical, administrative, and physical security measures and safeguards in place to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under ACDA Mentoring’s control. This site uses firewalls to protect from loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under its control.

Final Disclaimer

The ACDA Mentoring program consists of ACDA members volunteering their time to serve as mentors and answer your questions. Due to the volunteer structure of the ACDA Mentoring program, we cannot guarantee that the information shared is accurate and up to date. ACDA and ACDA Mentoring cannot be held liable for any information shared in the ACDA Mentoring database or by a ACDA Mentoring volunteer. ACDA and the ACDA Mentoring program are not responsible for the way that mentors and mentees interact.

Except as specifically stated on this site, neither ACDA nor employees or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the ACDA Mentoring site. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties.

Information

When users submit sensitive information via the Web Site, the information is protected both online and off-line. In addition, the job seeker and employer data is password protected, so only the user can access this information. All personally identifiable information collected by ACDA Mentoring is stored in limited-access servers. ACDA Mentoring has technical, administrative, and physical security measures and safeguards in place to protect against the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under ACDA Mentoring’s control. This site uses firewalls to protect from loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under its control.